Bio
Sonic Architect
Image: David Leikam with NS Design CR6-string fretless electric cello (NS Artist)
Location: Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, Half Moon Bay, California
Photo: Peter L. Buranzon
San Francisco Bay Area-based composer-performer and bandleader. Being born with cerebral palsy has affected his body and speech, giving him a distinct view into his creative arts/music process and being largely a self-taught multi-instrumentalist.
You are the note(s) within music composition and those you select to compose/perform music with you, either live on stage or in the recording studio.
Primary Instruments:
• NS Design CR5-strings Radius fretless electric bass (NS Artist)
• NS Design CR6-strings fretless electric cello (NS Artist)
He has performed and/or recorded with: Wadada Leo Smith, Pamela Z, Eddie Gale, Kidd Jordan, John Bergamo, Doug Ellington, Muruga Booker, James Gurley, Perry Robinson, Sikiru Adepoju, Jon Raskin, Timothy Orr, Patrick Cress, Sheila Bosco, amongst others.
ACADEMIA
• 1996-1997 Musicians Institute (MI Hollywood)
RIT, Audio/Sound Engineering/Production - live and studio production with honours.
• 1998-2001 California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
BFA, Music Composition
(Minors in Modern Dance Collaboration, Performance Arts, and Visual Arts construction.)
• 2004-06 California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
MFA, Music Composer-Performer in African-American Improvisational Music
(Minors in Modern Dance Collaboration/History and Performance Arts.)